Best Community Colleges in Kansas

Located in the geographic center of the nation, Kansas is among the leading agricultural states. Two-year community colleges in Kansas offer programs in many fields, including information technology, agriculture, business, nursing, fine arts, and education.

Key industries for the state include agriculture, oil and gas, aviation, and transportation. Kansas is famous for its vast plains, but there are also other natural wonders to explore far and wide, such as spectacular waterfalls and monument rocks.

This guide lists the best community colleges in Kansas and provides essential information for prospective students planning to study in Kansas.

There are 19 public community colleges to choose from in the state of Kansas. These schools enroll nearly 78,000 learners. Community colleges in Kansas provide generousfinancial aid programs for students, especially for military members and healthcare professionals. Financial aid options include grants, scholarships, and loans.

The Kansas Board of Regents, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce, develops certificate programs aligned with labor market needs in the state. These education options prepare students to earn industry-recognized credentials and pursue jobs immediately after graduation.

According to some economic metrics — based on variables like minimum wage, tax changes, and state liabilities — Kansas ranks near the middle of the pack for its economic outlook. From 2019-2021, the state received an investment of nearly $6 billion in new business dollars and created nearly 26,000 jobs.

Agriculture and manufacturing are significant contributors to the Kansas economy. The two industries are linked, as agriculture provides a good amount of raw materials for various manufacturing purposes.

According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, the cost of living in Kansas was 13.5% lower than the national average in the year 2020. In 2021, the state also ranked 46th out of all states and territories in terms of the highest rent in the United States.

Kansas’s individual income tax rate is 5.7%, while the state ranks 34th in per capita state and local individual tax collection.

Kansas boasts a flourishing cultural life with an emphasis on folk art and jazz. Formed in 1966 and funded by the state, the Kansas Arts Commission encourages arts development. The commission provides funds for various cultural events hosted by different communities and organizations. Most larger cities in the state have amateur theater clubs, while many community colleges offer courses in arts and music.

In the mid-1800s, a Kansas writer said that “God never favored man with a finer land, richer plains, more fertile valleys, clearer skies, a more genial climate.” The annual mean temperatures based on 1991-2020 data range from 52-58 degrees. Based on data from the same years, annual precipitation varies from 18-45 inches.

In 2021, the annual employment in Kansas contracted by 4.6% compared to 2019. In the second quarter of 2020, the state witnessed 127,000 job losses, but the economy began to rebound in the third quarter, recovering 53,300 jobs. This growth continued into 2021, when the state added 19,500 jobs in the first half of the year.

Projections suggest that the state’s trade, transport, and utilities sector will increase by 0.8% in 2022, adding more than 22,000 jobs. Additional projections show that the service sector will account for 62% of the state’s total job growth, while the production sector will generate 2,300 jobs.

Following professional nursing standards, registered nurses (RNs) assess and evaluate patient health. RNs deliver hands-on patient care, counsel patients, perform treatments, develop nursing care plans, and provide psychological support. RNs can specialize as nursing educators, managers, or administrators.

Surveying and mapping technicians help create maps and collect geographical data by visiting sites and measuring the land. Using their knowledge of geographic information systems, these technicians assist cartographers and surveyors and verify existing records.

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians are responsible for labeling, analyzing, and preparing test samples like body fluids and tissues. These technicians work in immunology, chemistry, toxicology, and diagnostic labs to conduct experiments under standard procedures and ensure safety, precision, and hygiene.

Paralegal and legal assistants gather and organize legal documents and evidence for review or case preparation. Some of the tasks these professionals carry out to support lawyers include performing research on regulations, studying legal articles and laws, maintaining electronic and paper documents, drafting, scheduling calls, and writing reports.

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians work with electrical engineers to conceptualize and develop instruments that run on electricity. Electrical technicians calibrate, repair, and test electrical equipment and maintain electrical systems. In addition, these technicians make modifications to correct errors and solve design-related problems.